Podcast Episodes

Little Happier: Opportunity Cost and Abstainers: A New Term Can Help Us See the World in a New Way

New terms allow us to understand the world in a deeper way. Opportunity cost, abstainers vs. moderators, finishers vs. openers—sometimes, having the right vocabulary helps us see more clearly.

Get in …

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

Ep. 446: Re-Think Our Daily Routine, Recognize the Warning Signs of Obliger-Rebellion, and a Back-to-School Demerit

Episode 446

We talk about why it’s a good idea to re-examine our personal, work, and family

routines to look for opportunities to improve. We also discuss how Obligers can

recognize when they’re entering the state…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

Little Happier: As an Upholder, I Needed an Obliger Friend to Tell Me the Right Thing to Do

During the covid period, my daughter Eliza returned to live on campus for her final semester of college. She was told to pack lightly, and as an Upholder, I took that to mean that she should pack ver…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

More Happier: The Anniversary of a Favorite Book, a Lesson in Standing Up, and the Joy of Clearing Clutter

Episode 44

We talk about the eleventh anniversary of “Happier at Home,” which is Elizabeth’s favorite book written by Gretchen. We also discuss a lesson in standing up for yourself, and about the energy that co…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

Ep. 445: Have a Happier Labor Day, Nominate Someone, and Manage the Line Between Work and Leisure

Episode 445

We reflect on two questions that can help us make our work lives happier, more

productive, and more creative. We also talk about why it’s a good idea to

nominate people for awards, and how to manage th…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

Little Happier: When Do We Say “I’m Finished” and When Do We Say “I Can Still Make It Better?”

A story from the life of writer Shirley Hazzard illustrates the conundrum: When do we think, “It can still be better,” and when do we decide, “It’s finished?”

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Fo…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

Ep. 444: Benefit from Tools You Already Use, a Gift Idea, and Traditions for the Other “New Year”

Episode 444

We talk about why and how we might try to get more benefit from a tool we

already use, and share an idea for a gift that’ very valuable to the recipient, but

doesn’t cost any money. We also share liste…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago

Little Happier: A Story About a Man Who Couldn’t Resist Tempting Food—Until He Could

I never forgot a story I read about a man and his eating habits, and how it illustrated an essential lesson: What we think is not possible may be possible, through the power of an idea.

Get in touch: …

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

More Happier: A Surprising Benefit of Daily Visits to the Met, a Funny Sign from the Hollywood Picket Line, and a Same-Day Book

Episode 43

We talk about how making daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum have had unintended consequences. We also discuss a funny sign from the Hollywood picket line that plays on a famous scene from “Mad M…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 443: Clear the Decks! We Try Something New to Get Ready for September, the Other New Year

Episode 443

We’re trying something new for this episode: a fun “Clear the Decks” exercise.

This time, e’re using it to help prepare to return to the usual routines after the

summer, but it can be used any time we …

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago